Thich Nhat Hanh : Well, happiness and suffering support each other. To be is to inter-be. It's like the left and the right. If the left is not there, the right cannot be there. The same is true with suffering and happiness, good and evil. In every one of us there are good seeds and bad. We have the seed of brotherhood, love, compassion, insight. But we have also the seed of anger, hate, dissent.

Oprah: That's the nature of being human.

Thich Nhat Hanh: Yes. There is the mud, and there is the lotus that grows out of the mud. We need the mud in order to make the lotus.

Oprah: Can't have one without the other.

Thich Nhat Hanh: Yes. You can only recognize your happiness against the background of suffering. If you have not suffered hunger, you do not appreciate having something to eat. If you have not gone through a war, you don't know the value of peace. That is why we should not try to run away from one thing after another thing. Holding our suffering, looking deeply into it, we find a way to happiness.

Does this mean that even people doing "bad" things are doing their best since doing one's best is the only possibility? I doubt that this is your meaning unless you are a fatalist.....I am only offering this idea because suggestions concerning the wording were invited.chownah

I'm not sure who you comment, the OP or the previous post (to yours) about Oprah. But I assume it is the OP.

chownah wrote:Does this mean that even people doing "bad" things are doing their best since doing one's best is the only possibility? I doubt that this is your meaning unless you are a fatalist.....I am only offering this idea because suggestions concerning the wording were invited.chownah

First thought... "bad" by who's measuring stick ? I think that people doing "bad" according to my judgement, most likely think they do good, as seen through their delusion. In my view "bad" things, is mainly caused by not realizing ones own delusion (soon enough) as delusion.

I read "All that you can do is do your best .." from the OP, as it is about ones intention; yes people can do "bad" things, but if one is to reflect on ones intention, all you can do is choosing the most skilful intentions, as seen through your current delusion(s).

When one ".. try to do the best .." then at least it demands one to reflect about the outcome, based on ones intentions. When one reflect on ones intentions, one would gain wisdom, that is the antidote on delusion. At least that is what I think, when reflecting on the OP.

With a little different approach, I thought of a Shantideva quote:

If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying?If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?

Doshin wrote:If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying?If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?

...I think I might write up that quote and paste it onto my wall.

Then the Blessed One, picking up a tiny bit of dust with the tip of his fingernail, said to the monk, "There isn't even this much form...feeling...perception...fabrications...consciousness that is constant, lasting, eternal, not subject to change, that will stay just as it is as long as eternity." (SN 22.97)

like now i decided to take it easy(easier) i enjoy music ect ... but when i can control it i stop i dont do to much meditation and do short meditation sittings sometimes when i can i do a long sitting

I belive its the best state now - im slowly and easily doing more mediation time and less stuff for my enjoyment - BUT i guess i can do more if i really try to - so am i doing my best ? even if i meditate 10 hours a day i can allways do 12 - where is the

like now i decided to take it easy(easier) i enjoy music ect ... but when i can control it i stop i dont do to much meditation and do short meditation sittings sometimes when i can i do a long sitting

I belive its the best state now - im slowly and easily doing more mediation time and less stuff for my enjoyment - BUT i guess i can do more if i really try to - so am i doing my best ? even if i meditate 10 hours a day i can allways do 12 - where is the

best

lay ?

Hi PP,

The more one is aware of impermanence continually , the better. Hence , in effect there is always scope to give that little bit more , making use of any situation to its full . Its also really nice to feel and understand , our enjoyments , be it music , gardening and other engagements , these experiences are dominated by the sensations that courses through our body and mind at any given point of time . A liking to a song or a tune , is just a superficial liking , deeper, it is the sensation that was already there at that particular moment that stretches the liking of a song or any object/situation . Also , if we are aware, we will realize that at times there is this attachment to a song/object/situation , and sometimes there is no attachment. Similarly to the kinds of unpleasantness that we experience .Therefore , it becomes all the more clearer that its all an internal make up , and the thrill and reverence on walking on the path gets deeply entrenched .

Neither do we love anyone or anything , nor do we hate anyone or anything. Its just the changing sensations that rule ..........

sanjay

The Path of Dhamma

The path of Dhamma is no picnic . It is a strenuous march steeply up the hill . If all the comrades desert you , Walk alone ! Walk alone ! with all the Thrill !!